The projects continue ...

Everyone is involved in planting vegetables ... and has a good time together

As you can see, hydroponics in Las Chacaras is still a past time. So are the pigs, though only one of the sows was pregnant on delivery to the village. Since that time, she delivered 8 piglets and another sow is now pregnant. The third sow ... we hope she's pregnant, but are unsure at this time. This village has changed a lot in 18 months. The people work together on projects and have acquired skills to help them make a living and feed their families.

In La Ceiba, the children await a class that will teach them English. Francisco will hopefully teach them. Freddy's spoken to him to make sure he really DOES know English, and is happy to report that he knows it well. He used to live in the U.S. - so - all is well on that score. Now we're waiting for the English class to be funded and begin.

The chickens are alive, well, producing ... and Senovia is busy caring for them and happily reports that she sells all the eggs that are laid. She's repaying the loan and the entire community is also changed. They're certainly a part of the heart of Manantial.

Come and visit!

Recent Improvements in Las Chacaras

Freddy, Franco and Janiel

Pastor Cesar and Mauricio

Planting Vegetables Hydroponically

First Litter of Piglets

Freddy has taken the lead in Manantial ... regularly visiting the people of Las Chacaras and maintaining the relationships there. As you can see above, the first pig has given birth to 10 piglets, with eight surving and growing every day. We all look forward to the day when the other two sows give birth also. This is the beginning of financial growth, with freedom being the goal. The men have tended the mother pigs for the past three months, and now are inoculating the piglets, caring for them and watching them grow daily.

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It's very exciting to see Mauricio has joined Las Chacaras in the daily work there. He initially was not part of the community, but in November he was hired to supervise the building of hydroponic vegetable boxes when a team from the States came to share in the project. Now he's definitely part of the community ... and one more benefit of knitting lives together through work that supports them.

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For all of you who remember Sylvia (Sandra's mother) ... well, her son, Milton, has recently purchased 50 chickens and two 'other' pigs to raise and sell for meat to the local community. They have a little pulperia in their home, and one day soon it will be stocked with more than beans, rice and vegetables. There will also be meat for sale.

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We're thrilled to see this community thrive. It is a testimony that giving people a chance to do it themselves can actually bring about real change in their lives, and also put more hope in their hearts. We are happy to watch them grow.